Method for cleaning flexible hoses and pipes



May 6, 1969 R. T. WHEATLEY 3,442,705

METHOD FOR CLEANING FLEXIBLE HOSES AND PIPES Filed Feb. 16, 1966 Sheet 8 of 2 Roberf 7T Wheafley INVENTOR.

BY 011% 15 m United States Patent 3,442,705 METHOD FOR CLEANING FLEXIBLE HOSES AND PIPES Robert T. Wheatley, P.O. Box 1017,

Las Cruces, N. Mex. 88001 Filed Feb. 16, 1966, Ser. No. 527,809 Int. Cl. B08b 3/08, 3/10 US. Cl. 134-1 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention generally relates to cleaning procedures and more specifically a method of cleaning a flexible metal hose, pipe or the like for the purpose of cleaning the interior of such a hose to a cleanliness environmental level required in the missile industry.

It is well known that in present day practice in the missile industry, an extremely high level of cleanliness is required in the various metal hoses, pipes and the like in order that the fluids conveyed through such hoses or pipes will not become contaminated. Present day cleaning procedures for flexible metal hose and the like introduces a possible contamination of the interior surface of the subject hose inasmuch as such interior surface is exposed to outside air and other possible contaminating environments. Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to overcome this basic problem by conducting the cleaning operation with the interior of the hose held closed to outside air and other possible contaminating environments and eliminating any possibility of contamination by the use of the present method or by poor handling techniques as quite frequently occurs in present processes and apparatuses.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method for cleaning the interior of a flexible metal hose or the like while the hose is held in a vertical position with a cleaning solution disposed within the flexible metal hose and the entire hose immersed in a tank with an ultrasonic transducer being employed for effectively cleaning the interior of the hose with the hose being sequentially moved longitudinally in a vertical direction to subject the entire length of the hose being cleaned to the cleaning effect of the cleaning solution and ultrasonic transducer assembly.

A further important object of the present invention is to provide a method for cleaning the interior of a flexible metal hose to a cleanliness environmental level which satisfies the requirements of the missile industry with the method being easily conducted and effective in use.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequentially apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view illustrating certain of the components in section with the various elements of the equipment orientated for indicating the various components of the apparatus employed in practicing the method;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view illustrating the general placement of certain of the equipment;

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view with portions thereof in section illustrating the supply pipe and filter and the connection to the hose being cleaned;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view with portions in section of the return pipe construction and its connection with the hose being cleaned; and

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the tank which receives the hose and the orientation of the ultrasonic transducers therein,

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 illustrates the hose which is being cleaned and this hose is a flexible metal hose which may be lined, unlined, convoluted or provided with a smooth internal bore surface. Each end of the hose 10 is provided with a fitting 12 for connection with a supply pipe assembly generally designated by numeral 14 and a return pipe assembly generally designated by the numeral 16 by virtue of the fittings 12 being a conventional flange construction or the like. The hose 10 is disposed vertically in an elongated tank 18 which may be in the form of an elongated black steel pipe or the like provided with a closed bottom end 20 having a suitable drainpipe or evacuation line 22 connected thereto for enabling replacement of the water 2-4 in the tank 18. The upper end of the tank 18 is provided with an enlarged wall 26 connected to the tank 18 by an offset portion 28 and thus defining a larger tank area that is exposed above the top surface of the plant floor 30 or the like with the enlarged tank portion 26 having an open upper end 32 defined by a peripheral flange 36 or the like. The particular construction and configuration of the elongated tank 18 and the larger tank portion 26 is illustrated in FIGURE 5.

The supply pipe assembly 14 includes a supply hose 38 which may be a hose lined with nylon, Teflon or the like and this hose is connected to an inlet pipe 40 having a reversely curved upper end portion 42 terminating in a downwardly extending inlet end 44 to which the hose 38 is connected by a suitable coupling or fitting 46. The pipe 40 is provided with a loop 48 in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the main section of the pipe 40 at the upper end thereof and the loop 48 is connected with a hoist line '50 by a suitable loop connection 52. The hoist line 50 is entrained over an overhead pulley 54 and then extends to a winch motor '56 of conventional construction which involves the provision of a winch drum, gear head and the like for lowering and elevating the supply pipe assembly 14 in a manner described hereinafter.

Disposed in the supply pipe 40 is a flanged housing 58 which is separable along a centerline and retained in assembled position by the use of a plurality of bolts 66 to enable the insertion of and removal of a filter 62. The filter '62 includes a stainless steel element and case and is a :10 micron filter element. The pipe 40 is also stainless steel and includes an attaching flange 64 on the lower end thereof secured to the flanged fitting 12 by suitable bolts 66 or the like.

The return pipe assembly 16 includes a stainless steel pipe 68 having a flange 70 on one end thereof for connection with the flanged fitting 12 by the use of bolts 72. Intermediate the ends of the pipe '68, a reverse bend 74 is provided as a branch from the main pipe 68. The reverse bend or 180 bend branch 74 is connected to a nylon or Teflon lined hose 76 by a suitable coupling 78. The lower end of the pipe 68 which extends below the branch 74 is reduced as at 80 by a conventional reducer and a conventional "ball valve 82 having an operating handle 84 is mounted on the lower end of the pipe 68. The pipe 68 is also provided with a sampler port 86 which is opened to a Millipore sampler to sample the eflluent water, solution or solvent for particulate analysis and the like. The inlet pipe assembly also is provided with a nitrogen purge port 88 at the upper end of the reversely curved portion 42 and a flush port 90 is also provided in the terminal end portion of the downwardly extending end 44 of the pipe which is also of reduced diameter. The ports 88 and 90 are manually opened by suitable valve operating handles 92 and 94 respectively.

Disposed above the tank 18 is a hose reel or drum 96 for the inlet hose 38 and disposed below the hose reel 96 is a similar hose reel or drum 98 on which the return hose 76 is wound. The hose reels 96 and 98 are supported by a suitable support mechanism in the form of a sup porting stand or bracket 100 for rotation about horizontal axes. The hose reels 96 and 98 are also motor operated in any suitable manner and the hose reel 96 is provided with an inlet hose or pipe 102 extending into the center thereof and provided with a conventional coupler arrangement 104 for connecting the supply hose 38 to the supply pipe or hose 102 through the hose reel 96. A similar arrangement is provided with the return hOse reel 98 in which a return pipe 106 is connected with the return hose reel 98 through a suitable coupling arrangement 108. This type of coupling is a conventional swivel connector such as Chiksan swivel connector, The return pipe 106 discharges into a storage tank 110 for a cleaning solution 112 and has adequate capacity to fill the entire circulation system. The tank 110 may be of stainless steel or a vessel lined with polyvinyl chloride. The supply pipe 102 is communicated with the discharge side of a circulation pump 114 which is motor driven in a conventional manner and provided with an intake pipe 116 having one branch thereof communicating with the tank 110 and provided with a control valve 118. The intake pipe 116 also includes a branch 120 having a control valve 122 therein with the branch 120 communicating with a demineralized water storage tank 124 having demineralized water 126 therein and this vessel also may be lined with polyvinyl chloride or the like.

Disposed in the enlarged portion 26 of the tank is a pair of ultrasonic transducers 1'28 and 130 which are operatively connected with a pair of ultrasonic generators 13 2 and 134. The ultrasonic generators in turn are connected with a time mechanism 136 that controls operation of the system and which receives power from a push button switch assembly 138 that is electrically connected to a source of electric power.

The ultrasonic transducers employed are Turco TUTlOOO-lZO immersible transducers, or equal, with power output of 500 watts each. The ultrasonic generators are also Turco model PC2000, or equal, having a power output of 1000 watts, 18 amps each. The time mechanism 136 is also conventional and includes a clock timing switch with double pole, double throw relay contacts. The push button station is also standard and includes a push button switch arrangement with an indicating light. The electric motors for the hoist, pump and hose reels are all controlled from the timing mechanism 136.

While dimensional characteristics may vary depending upon whether the installation is in a plant or a mobile type of arrangement, the supply hoses 38 and 76 may be conveniently 1" hoses while the reel drums 96 and 98 are 14" in diameter. The circulation pump 114 may be a centrifugal pump having a capacity of approximately 55 gal/min. at a foot head. The storage vessels may have a capacity of approximately 200 gallons and water is filled in the tank 18 and the enlarged portion to a critical water level at least to or adjacent the top end of the ultrasonic transducers 1:28 and 130 with the water being placed in this tank for use as a medium for transmission of ultrasonic waves through the flexible hose 10 being cleaned.

In using the present invention, the hose 10 being cleaned is fastened to the circulation system by connection of the flanged couplings which will provide for pressure circulation of cleaning solution 112 or demineralized water 126 from a plurality of solution storage tanks or water storage tanks. Various combinations of solutions and demineralized water or the like may be employed for circulation through the hose.

The supply hose 38 and return hose 76 are disposed on the hose reels '96 and 98 which turn in opposite rotation in order that the supply hose may increase in length as the return hose coils upon its reel and vice versa when the flexible hose being cleaned is elevated in a vertical direction. This structure is for the purpose of storage of the supply and return hose on the reel in order to maintain a clear work area durin operation of the system.

The circulation pump 114 may be connected to three solution tanks 110 and a demineralized water storage tank 124 in a selective manner through piping and valving arrangement thereby providing a choice of solution or demineralized water so that either solution or demineralized water or a mixture of the same can be provided without breaking the connection at the hose being cleaned. This selection and sequence of solution is made by manual operation of the valves 118 and 122 in a Well-known manner. The hoisting ring structure may be of any suitable construction and any type of coupling between the hose 10 and the supply pipe assembly 14 and the return pipe assembly 16 may be provided. It may be a flange connection as illustrated or any suitable quick disconnect coupling depending upon the connection provided on and the size of the subject hose. An in-line 10 micron absolute stainless steel element filter is provided along with a nitrogen purge port 88 and a precision solvent flush port is provided when required by the particular installation. While the reurn hose 76 is normally operative to return the cleaning solution or water from the hose 10 back into the tanks, the valve 82 can be opened for direct flushing to a drain through the drain line 22. Also, the sampling port 86 may be opened to a sampler for the purpose that the material which has been circulated through the pipe may be analyzed.

After the hose 10 has been hooked up to the assembly, the hose is lowered into the submersion tank 18 so that the coupling with the inlet pipe assembly is approximately 2" below the top elevation of the ultrasonic transducers and a critical level mark may be provided on the tank so that the pipe will be lowered to at least alignment with such a mark. With the hose 10 so lowered, the system is then ready for operation.

Operation of the system is accomplished by actuating the push button switch 138 for energizing the timer mechanism 136. At the beginning of the cycle of the timer mechanism, power is provided to the two ultrasonic generators 132 and consequently power is transmitted to the submersible transducers 128 and 130. The timer mechanism holds this circuit closed for a period of 30 seconds. At the end of this period, the circulation pump 114 and hoist motor 56 are energized thus raising the hose up in a vertical direction through the ultrasonic field a distance of one foot. This procedure thus subjects the adjoining linear footage of hose to the effective ultrasonic field. When the hose is to its new position, the timer deenergizes the hoist motor and the circulation pump and the 30 second cycle of ultrasonic power then continues. The sequence is repeated until the entire length of hose is raised through the elfective ultrasonic field so that the entire length of hose is subjected to the action of the ultrasonic field in increments of one foot with each one foot increment being subjected to a 30 second cycle of operation of the transducers. Of course, the hose remains completely filled with solution in the interior thereof at all times.

At this time, the hose is positioned above the tank and the timer then energizes the circulation pump only and a final flush is initiated. During this final flush, a sample of effluent is obtained at port 86 to determine the level of cleanliness within the hose 10. By using the procedure and apparatus, the hose is at all times precluded from becoming contaminated insofar as the interior surface thereof is concerned inasmuch as the interior of the hose is retained filled with solution at all times and any cleaning solution introduced into the hose is flushed therefrom and the cleanliness level of the interior of the hose being cleaned may be readily determined by sampling the dis charge efiluent from the hose being cleaned.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. The method of cleaning the interior surface of a flexible metal hose consisting of the steps of immersing the hose in a liquid bath, circulating liquid through the hose, forming an ultrasonic wave field in said liquid bath, and sequentially moving increments of said hose through the ultrasonic wave field.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 together with the step of orientating the hose vertically while immersed in said bath.

3. The method as defined in claim 2 together with the step of flushing the hose after cleaning without exposing the interior of the hose to a contaminating environment.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,967,119 1/1961 Gutterman 134-64 X 3,007,478 11/1961 Leonhardt et a1 1341 X MORRIS O. WOLK, Primary Examiner.

J. OLSEN, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 259-1 

